48 Caitlin van der Walt
Methodology
The study employed a life history framework in an attempt to gain a greater insight
into the formation of an individual’s identity. The life history framework high-
lighted the importance of considering personal recounts and narratives in estab-
lishing the relationship between identity construction and a diagnosis of AS. The
value life history methodology contributes to qualitative research is supported by
Dhunpath (2000), who states that one’s life is constructed through narratives, rep-
resenting lived experiences through personal stories.
Participants
Two participants were involved in this study, Anne and Max. Max was a 14-year-old
male with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. Max had known of his diagnosis for
several years. Max lived at home with his parents and a younger sibling. He attended
his local mainstream secondary school, a place he liked. His mother, Anne, was also
interviewed to corroborate and provide extension to Max’s responses.
Procedure
Studies exploring identity utilise interviews as the foundation of their research,
allowing the perspectives and experiences of the individuals to be conveyed and
considered (MacLeod and Johnston, 2007). To this end, two interviews were
conducted with Max, both in his home, and one interview with Anne. All were
audio-recorded and later transcribed prior to analysis. The results were analysed
using grounded theory analysis methods, a systematic, qualitative procedure that is
used to generate a theory to explain a concept or process about a particular topic.
This process of analysis is particularly significant and useful for topics around iden-
tity, self and meaning (Charmaz and McMullen, 2011) making it relevant for the
design of this study. Interviews were coded, identifying the concepts, actions and
processes highlighted by the participant in each of the interviews (Stern, 1980).
Data were then synthesised into broader categories. By determining which catego-
ries were the most significant in the data, together with evaluating the content of
the subsequent categories (Harry, Sturges and Klingner, 2005), the most predom-
inant and significant categories that emerged were social identity and self-identity.
Findings
Max’s account highlighted how his past experiences, revolving around his AS diag-
nosis, shaped his identity, both personally and socially. The findings suggested a
strong relationship between Max’s identity and his diagnosis of AS, with him stat-
ing, “it [AS] is what I use to define myself... it is who I am.” This strong sense of
connection with his diagnosis was further highlighted through his response toward
the suggestion of the possible removal of his diagnosis of AS. Max replied, “... to be